Stanozolol as a novel therapeutic agent in dermatology.

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995 Aug;33(2 Pt 1):254-8.

Stanozolol as a novel therapeutic agent in dermatology.

Helfman T, Falanga V.

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of
Medicine, FL 33101, USA.

Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone that were developed
in the 1950s in an attempt to dissociate the anabolic and androgenic effects of
testosterone. The anabolic steroid stanozolol has been particularly helpful
because it has one of the largest anabolic/androgenic ratios. In addition,
stanozolol has substantial fibrinolytic properties. We discuss the safety profile
and the use of stanozolol for a variety of clinical applications. Stanozolol is
approved for use in the treatment of hereditary angioedema, but numerous reports
have detailed the effectiveness of this agent in the treatment of urticaria,
Raynaud's phenomenon, and, more recently, cryofibrinogenemia and
lipodermatosclerosis. Side effects are mostly dose related and are preventable
with appropriate follow-up.